Jessica Thorne

A dark and addictive fantasy read for fans of Graceling and Sarah J. Maas. The life of an orphan soldier becomes entwined with that of the mysterious heir to the throne, whose very presence draws out the secret magic living inside her: a magic that breaks every law she is duty-bound to uphold... The room is small and dark. Row upon row of jars line the shelves, each one sealed with blood-red wax. The seal's mark is a twisted circle of briar with gleaming, gold-tipped thorns. And in each jar a flicker of forbidden magic dances... beautiful, but deadly. Sold to the Crown in the aftermath of the Last Great War, Grace Marchant has never known her parents. Now, she trains as an elite soldier tracking down mageborn - those born with an ancient and long-outlawed magic - and destroying them if they don't surrender their power to the Crown. The mageborn who submit are collared, then handed over to the King's cousin and heir: the elusive Bastien Larelwyn, Lord of Thorns, locked away in his shadowy workshop deep inside the castle. What becomes of them is hard to say - the Lord of Thorns keeps his secrets close. Grace has always fought the voice inside her that questions whether the law is truly just, but when her closest friend is next on Bastien's list, Grace's loyalties are tested to the limit. Confronting Bastien - searching his strangely compelling obsidian-black eyes for answers - Grace is shocked to feel herself begin to change, to show the first signs of the wild magic she so fears. Only the Lord of Thorns has the power to save her and the rest of the mageborn - if he doesn't destroy them all first... Read what everyone's saying about Jessica Thorne: 'Took my heart out of my chest, stomped on it and then put it back, while whispering, 'Keep reading'... I sat and ugly cried for 15 minutes... reminds me of something Sarah J. Maas would write.' Awesome Alitza, 5 stars 'WOW WOW WOW... a gripping tale full of action, romance, strategy and finding the strength within... a fantastically written heroine and I was besotted with her and her story from the first chapter.' Esotericerlixir, 5 stars 'Oh my good lord this book was AMAZING... the world was so unique, and the plot was tantalizing... I loved it.' Goodreads reviewer 'WOW! Thorne delivers a captivating, audacious, epically written fantasy novel. I could not put this book down.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'Hands down this is one of the best books I have read in a long time... It's breath-taking and special and legitimately made me laugh and cheer out loud and yes, cry. Must read. Must buy. Must share with everyone you know.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'Really does pack a punch... I loved every minute of it... filled with action, adventure, and romance and it will have you at the edge of your seat so many times. There were things I never saw coming and I held my breath on numerous occasions... This book has everything a fantasy reader will love... If I could give more than five stars I would. I absolutely loved it.' Amanda J Evans, 5 stars

An Absolutely Gripping Fantasy Novel

Mageborn

‘Took my heart out of my chest, stomped on it and then put it back, while whispering, "Keep reading"… This book was amazing.’ Awesome Alitza, 5 stars 'I was born to fight,’ I used to say. But now I know it isn’t true. I was born to be a pawn in the great game of royal houses, married to someone – anyone – my family deems suitable… Bel would do anything to spend her days alongside her best friend and childhood sweetheart Shae – training in the art of ancient combat, hoping to some day live up to the legacy left by the mother she lost as a child. But when a mysterious and deadly attack on the capital lands Bel’s father unexpectedly on the throne, her life is forever changed. In order to secure her father’s new empire, Bel is forced to travel to a distant land to marry its recently widowed ruler, Conleith. For any other young woman the chance to become royalty would be a dream come true, but for Bel, the rigidity of court life is like a prison sentence. And while Conleith is an unexpectedly intriguing – and attractive – puzzle… could she ever love him when it would mean turning her back on her feelings for Shae, her first love and last connection to home? Then a brutal assassination attempt nearly takes her life, and Bel learns that there’s more on the line than just her happiness. Is it the same faceless enemy who attacked her homeland and, with dangers around every corner, who in the palace can she trust? A heart-stoppingly magical new novel that will keep you turning the pages. Perfect for fans of The Selection, Bella Forrest and Sarah J. Maas. Readers absolutely love The Queen’s Wing: ‘WOW WOW WOW, what an incredible debut… a gripping tale full of action, romance, strategy and finding the strength within… a fantastically written heroine and I was besotted with her and her story from the first chapter.’ Esotericerlixir, 5 stars ‘Oh my good lord this book was AMAZING. Bel is an absolute badass of a character, the world was so unique, and the plot was tantalizing… I loved it.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘WOW! Thorne delivers a captivating, audacious, epically written fantasy novel. I could not put this book down for so many reasons… Bel's feelings felt raw, real, and I could feel the lump in my throat every time she experienced them herself.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘Hands down this is one of the best books I have read in a long time… It's breath-taking and special and legitimately made me laugh and cheer out loud and yes, cry. Must read. Must buy. Must share with everyone you know.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘I haven't closed my eyes, and I'm not entirely sure I've breathed properly for at least an hour… I finished it in one sitting. I am so tired it's unreal, but it was worth it… fantastic.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘I am in love with this world… kept me hooked and gripping my tablet for 4 straight hours… Battle and war, love and loss, fear and fire and triumph and loyalty… this book has something for everyone.’ Evanescent Flames Books, 5 stars 'I love the badass female characters… especially Bel, I want more of her!!... just wowed me… I can’t rave about this enough!!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘This books is awesome… it’s that kind of book you wish you could erase from your memory so you can read it again and again… so so epic!!’ Rach’s Books ‘To quote Mary Poppins… this novel is, "Practically perfect in every way." This book took my heart out of my chest, stomped on it and then put it back, while whispering, "Keep reading"… reminds me of something Sarah J. Maas would write... I NEED the second one.' Awesome Alitza, 5 stars ‘A heart-stoppingly magical new novel that will keep you turning the pages. Perfect for fans of The Selection, Bella Forrest and Sarah J. Maas. This book was oh so hard to put down.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

A completely gripping fantasy romance

The Queen's Wing

The song surrounded her now, the murmuring of the library insistent, and her foot took the first step on the winding stairs. She knew it wasn’t entirely a dream. It was the library calling her, its magic driving her. When Sophie is offered a job at the Ayredale Library – the finest collection of rare books in the world, and the last place her bookbinder mother was seen when Sophie was just a teenager – she leaps at the chance. Will she finally discover what happened to the woman she’s always believed abandoned her? Taking in the endless shelves of antique books, the soaring stained glass windows, and the grand sweeping staircase, usually shy Sophie feels strangely at home, and is welcomed by her eccentric fellow binders. But why is the Keeper of the Library so reluctant to speak about Sophie’s mother? And why is Sophie the only person who can read the strange spells in the oldest books on display, written in a forgotten language nobody else understands? The mysteries of the library only deepen when Sophie stumbles upon an elaborately carved door. The pattern exactly matches the pendant her mother left behind years ago, engraved with a delicate leaf. As the door swings open at her touch, Sophie gasps at the incredible sight: an enormous tree, impossibly growing higher than the library itself, its gently falling golden leaves somehow resembling the pages of a book. Amidst their rustling, Sophie hears a familiar whisper… ‘There you are, my Sophie. I knew you’d come back for me.’ An absolutely spellbinding read about long-hidden family secrets and the magic that lurks between the pages of every ancient book. Perfect for fans of The Ten Thousand Doors of January, The Night Circus and The Binding. ‘Wow, wow, wow!... A showstopping book that was hard to put down… An addicting adventure you will not want to miss out on.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Took my heart out of my chest, stomped on it and then put it back, while whispering, "Keep reading"… I sat and ugly cried for 15 minutes.’ Awesome Alitza, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I’m speechless… my heart was breaking… the whole ending was just me switching between the sobbing, mind blown, shocked, angry emojis… There really isn’t a calm moment in this book, and it keeps you turning the page… you’re going to fall in love… kept me up until the light started shining in through my window. Perfect binge-able books. Have I convinced you yet?’ Writing the Universe, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I don't know what to say. I still haven't recovered yet… kept me in complete suspense… led me to despair and back to earth again… At some points I was completely devastated and I couldn't believe what I was reading. I went through all the possible feelings through this story… amazing book.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I devoured this book and stayed up into the early hours of the morning just to finish it… completely blew me away… My heart broke… I found myself shouting nooooo more times than a little… be prepared for a heart-wrenching emotional journey… It's a page-turner… sure to be a bestseller… brilliant book.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Captivating… I simultaneously wanted to power through it but didn't want it to end… it's fantastic. It's brilliant. I love it… I have several notes in my Kindle app from emotional scenes where it's purely emotive responses of ""AWEEE"", ""OMGGGG"", ""WTF IS THIS?!”… a beautiful piece of fantasy fiction that should be on everyone's tbr list.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

An absolutely magical and gripping page-turner

The Bookbinder's Daughter

Something evil is gathering power in the kingdom. It knows the secrets in your heart, and nobody is safe… Petra Kel – young and headstrong – has been named General of the Queen’s Guard. But while Petra’s head may be in rebuilding the war-torn kingdom alongside her childhood friend Queen Belengaria, she left her heart miles away in their homeland, the day she turned her back on the only man she ever loved and fled. But then Petra’s past – in the form of Bel’s roguish brother Zander – comes crashing in, just as rumours of dark magic begin to swirl at court. Petra can’t afford to be distracted… but the unfinished business between herself and Zander is like a vice upon her heart. When evil takes hold of the kingdom and threatens Bel, Petra is forced to make the impossible choice between love and loyalty. And will the insidious magic of the Stone’s Heart reveal the heart-breaking reason why she left Zander behind all those years ago? A gripping and magical read that will captivate you from the very first page. Perfect for fans of The Selection, Bella Forrest and Sarah J. Maas. Readers absolutely love The Stone’s Heart… ‘One of my most anticipated books for this year and it didn't disappoint!’ Ridiculously Obsessed Bookworm, 5 stars ‘Really does pack a punch… I loved every minute of it. The only negative emotion I felt was when it ended… filled with action, adventure, and romance and it will have you at the edge of your seat so many times. There were things I never saw coming and I held my breath on numerous occasions... I was deeply invested in all the characters, and I can't wait to see what is going to happen next … This book has everything a fantasy reader will love… If I could give more than five stars I would. I absolutely loved it and will be waiting not so patiently for book 3.’ Amanda J Evans, 5 stars ‘The book is SO fast paced, with so many events and ambushes and exes and twists, right up until the very last page… I will 100% attest that I could barely put it down.’ One Nurse Reader ‘A fantastic read that kept me guessing and reading right to the very end, and a series I plan on rereading as soon as possible.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘Oh, my. This was a very good read. Full of mystery and betrayal. A heart-pounding gem with lots of twistys. Recommend highly.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘Another fun, fast paced read with plenty of action and adventure… Both female leads are strong, independent woman trying to prove themselves in a male-oriented world, living in the shadows of their families and trying their best to balance their duties against their own ambitions and desires… Great ideas, fantastic storytelling and likeable characters make this a compelling read that I didn’t want to put down.’ Goodreads Reviewer ‘Petra is strength, she is loyalty, she is heartbroken, she is headstrong and she is unconditional love. Petra is the hero that I aspire to be… I enjoyed seeing the strength in vulnerability being explored in this story and the strength of friendship, love and companionship.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘Plenty of action and romance… a wonderful light fantasy with a touch of sci-fi. Definitely recommend.’ Tales of a Librarian ‘I don't know how but the books in this series always manage to somehow make me cry like a little baby… that ending was so sweet!’ Goodreads Reviewer ‘This was just as fab as the first one… I loved it... It had a great story line and kept me hooked.’ Goodreads Reviewer ‘It's a twisty, turny rollercoaster ride. I honestly didn't know whom Petra could trust at one point. The characters are fun, the world building is meticulous and the story is amazing.’ Goodreads Reviewer ‘A wonderful fantasy… just as captivating as the first book. This author has an epic way of storytelling that sucks you in immediately!’ Goodreads Reviewer

An absolutely unputdownable fantasy romance

The Stone's Heart

Like deep dark water, it pulls them down. The faint fire of magic within them flickers and dies. Their eyes turn black as night. They are nightborn now. Grace Marchant has been many things: streetwise orphan, rebellious servant, and now beloved companion of Prince Bastien, heir to the throne of Larelwynn. But their sunlit happiness is not destined to last. The golden magic which brought them together in purest passion is threatened by strange and ancient forces. Innocent people are becoming nightborn - cruel, deadly, unrecognisable to their loved ones - and these two young lovers are the only ones with power enough to stop it. In times of peace, striking a deal with their closest enemy would be unthinkable, but now their only hope is to ally with the neighbouring Valenti royal family: manipulative, cunning, and always with an eye on the Larelwynn throne. The partnership comes at a devastating price... if Grace wants to defeat the nightborn, she must watch Bastien marry a Valenti princess. Grace knows she must make this heart-wrenching sacrifice for the good of the whole kingdom - but she also fears the magic in her veins, usually so warm and bright, is turning cold as deepest midnight. A beguiling darkness whispers to her from within. Is Grace herself becoming nightborn? Time is running out. With Bastien promised to another, and a stony distance growing between them, will Grace find the source of the nightborn curse before every last soul is consumed by the darkness? Combining sizzling romance, courtly intrigue, and heart-in-your-mouth action, this dark and addictive fantasy series is perfect for fans of Graceling and Emily R. King. Read what everyone's saying about Jessica Thorne: '50 bajillion stars... I loved this book so much... It broke my heart into a million pieces and put it all back together again.' Faemance Book Blog, 5 stars 'Wow, wow, wow!... A show-stopping book that was hard to put down... An addicting adventure you will not want to miss out on.' NetGalley Reviewer 'I mean, wow!... Be prepared for plot twists!!!... I highly recommend giving this book a read! I can't wait for the next book in the series!!!!' Goodreads Reviewer 'Captivating... I simultaneously wanted to power through it but didn't want it to end... it's fantastic. It's brilliant. I love it... I have several notes in my Kindle app from emotional scenes where it's purely emotive responses of "AWEEE", "OMGGGG", "WTF IS THIS?!"... a beautiful piece of fantasy fiction that should be on everyone's tbr list.' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

Nightborn: Totally Addictive Fantasy Fiction

Sitting side by side on the clifftop, he turns to her solemnly and says, 'The water witch is real.' She rolls her eyes and grins, teasing him. 'Sure. A psycho mermaid. Got it.' But now he's gone forever... will she find the truth beneath the waves?

Brittany, France. Ariadne Walker's fiancé Simon drowned in the stormy Atlantic Ocean doing what he loved: searching for the lost underwater city of Ys. Local legend says it was destroyed centuries ago when the princess of Ys became a water witch, cursing the name of the man who betrayed her.

Ari never believed these tall tales. And the letter Simon sent before he died finishing their relationship is a devastating secret she'll take to the grave. But arriving in Brittany, Ari encounters a man emerging from the sea in a rocky cove, saltwater dripping from his dark hair. Rafael swears the legends are true: and his ancestor was cursed by the water witch. Now, his own life is in terrible danger. And the secret to breaking the curse lies hidden in the lost city.

When Ari finds a strange engraved mask on the sea bed, and a cryptic map amongst Simon's things, she has no choice but to believe Rafael's plea. Can they follow the trail and save Rafael's life? Poring over the map by candlelight, the flickering flames only add to the heat between them... but will Ari's fragile heart soon be shattered all over again? And will they ever find Ys and break the curse - or will the water witch demand another sacrifice?

An absolutely addictive romantic fantasy read filled with passion and mystery, that will sweep you away to the wild coast of northern France. Inspired by real myths and legends from this magical place, The Water Witch is perfect for fans of Luanne G. Smith, River of Shadows and Jennifer L. Armentrout.

The Water Witch

The enemy has her. And the man she loves seems intent on using her dark magic to destroy her kingdom…

In the chaos of the magical assault on Pelias, Wren has been swept far from home. She is now a prisoner, in the heart of enemy territory. At least she has the man she loves beside her, keeping their passion alive during the cold nights in this unfamiliar place.

Or so she thought…

Finn has changed since returning to his father’s kingdom. Instead of serving the princess he’s proven his loyalty to time and again, he is keeping her under guard in a tower. Desire still lights up his eyes when he looks at her. But is he enamoured by Wren, or her power?

With the unfamiliar castle calling to her dark magic, Wren is fighting every minute to keep her growing power in check. And she struggles to ignore the still-smouldering heat between her and Finn every time their fingers touch – even as he keeps her under lock and key…

Is everything she believed about Finn a lie? Or is he under the influence of the dark power here too? And will she have time to figure it out before she’s forced to turn her magic on her own kingdom?


The Lost Queen #3

A Crown of Darkness

They want her on the throne. But the closer she gets, the deadlier her magic becomes. And an ancient power gets closer to breaking free…

Wren’s gone from being a parentless girl with a free life in the forest, to the daughter of the lost queen of Asteroth. Trapped in the capital, she’s surrounded by people who would kill her if they discovered her shadow magic. And the strength of her dark power is growing out of control…

Though Finn considers Asteroth his home, as the son of the enemy king he has never been fully at ease in the capital. But now, it’s torture. Keeping Wren’s magic hidden goes against every vow he’s ever taken. But whenever they’re apart, the strange ache in his chest becomes unbearable.

Snatching moments together in quiet corners of the castle, the solace Wren and Finn find in each other is bittersweet. The Regent’s Council want to keep the control they’ve held since the queen was lost – but their plan to use Wren as a puppet could see the kingdom torn apart by her dark power. And with the enemy preparing to invade, danger is growing outside the city walls too…

With their loyalty to each other tested at every turn, can Finn and Wren find safety in their love? And can Wren escape from the power play inside the castle and save the kingdom: even if it’s from herself?

The Lost Queen #2

A Kiss of Flame

September, 1939. The moon shines silver on the looming yew trees. Thinking of her fiancé, fighting for his life and country in the war, breaks Eleanor’s heart, but also gives her courage. She takes a deep breath, picks up her camera, and follows the dancing lights into the maze. Present day. With her little brother Missing in Action, gardener Megan Taylor runs from her grief to take a job at Foxfield Hall – a centuries-old place full of myths and folklore – restoring the wild maze in the overgrown gardens. Throwing herself into shaping the tangled ivy, Megan soon becomes drawn into the mystery of Lady Eleanor Fairfax, the Hall’s most famous resident… the villagers say she disappeared without trace at the Harvest Festival in 1939, leaving behind a grieving father and a heartbroken fiancé. Leafing through delicate old newspaper cuttings and gazing at an ornately framed portrait of the missing woman, Megan is full of questions. Although no body was ever found, could Eleanor have been murdered? Did she run away, unwilling to marry the man who loved her? Or, with her father working at the War Office, did Eleanor stumble upon a secret she shouldn’t have? Then, one night under a full moon, a mesmerising light inexplicably draws her to the entrance of the maze. Megan is filled with a strange certainty that, if she follows it into the shadows, it will lead to the truth about Eleanor… but could Megan herself be the next occupant of Foxfield Hall to be lost forever? A spellbinding, magical and addictive tale about the mysterious and ancient legends at the heart of the English countryside, and how to find those who are lost. Perfect for fans of Outlander, Susanna Kearsley and The Binding. Read what everyone’s saying about Jessica Thorne: ‘Took my heart out of my chest, stomped on it and then put it back, while whispering, “Keep reading”… I sat and ugly cried for 15 minutes.’ Awesome Alitza, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Captivating… I simultaneously wanted to power through it but didn't want it to end… it's fantastic. It's brilliant. I love it… I have several notes in my Kindle app from emotional scenes where it's purely emotive responses of “AWEEE”, “OMGGGG”, “WTF IS THIS?!”’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I’m speechless… my heart was breaking… the whole ending was just me switching between the sobbing, mind blown, shocked, angry emojis… There really isn’t a calm moment in this book, and it keeps you turning the page… you’re going to fall in love… kept me up until the light started shining in through my window. Perfect binge-able books. Have I convinced you yet?’ Writing the Universe, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I don’t know what to say. I still haven’t recovered yet… kept me in complete suspense… led me to despair and back to earth again… At some points I was completely devastated and I couldn’t believe what I was reading. I went through all the possible feelings through this story… amazing book.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I devoured this book and stayed up into the early hours of the morning just to finish it… completely blew me away… My heart broke… I found myself shouting nooooo more times than a little… be prepared for a heart-wrenching emotional journey… It’s a page-turner… sure to be a bestseller… brilliant book.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Really does pack a punch… I loved every minute… will have you at the edge of your seat… I held my breath on numerous occasions... If I could give more than five stars I would. I absolutely loved it.’ Amanda J Evans, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Gripping WW2 historical fiction filled with mystery and magic

The Lost Girls of Foxfield Hall

'WOW... I loved this book so much. I couldn't put its down and now feel sad that I've finished it... one of the best books I've read.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'I was born to fly, ' I told my brothers. But it isn't true. I was born to be a pawn in the great game of royal houses, married to someone - anyone - my family deems suitable. If I'm lucky, he'll be my own age and bearable. If I'm very lucky, he'll be someone who understands my need to fight, and to fly... Bel, born to nobility, would do anything to spend her days alongside her brothers - soaring through the heavens in her beloved flyer. She's faster than any of them, but she knows her days in the skies are numbered. When a surprise attack on the palace lands Bel's father on the throne, her life is forever changed. In order to secure her father's empire, Bel must travel to a distant land to marry the recently widowed young ruler, Conleith. But Bel's new home is less than welcoming: compared to the refined ladies at court, Bel seems like a wild woman, and assassination attempts, treason and mystery threaten her at every turn. With a growing attraction to Con, her life is further complicated by the attentive leader of her bodyguards - a warrior called Shae whom she has loved since childhood... A heart-stoppingly magical new novel that will keep you turning the pages. Perfect for fans of The Selection, Bella Forrest and Sarah J. Maas.

Jessica Thorne

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